Queen Máxima’s striking resemblance to her three daughters is revealed in this stunning set of photographs to commemorate her husband’s 50th birthday.
The Dutch queen consort, 46, appears alongside the young Princesses in the new series of close-up portraits shot by renowned photographer Erwin Olaf.
Shot on April 18 to mark King Willem-Alexander’s 50th birthday, the images have this week been released to the public by the Royal House of the Netherlands and are currently on display at a museum in Oss.
The eldest at 13, Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange – who goes by Amalia – has clearly inherited her parents’ striking looks and strawberry-blonde hair.
Portrait of a queen: Máxima stars alongside her three daughters in this new set of portraits from Erwin Olaf, released to coincide with King Willem-Alexander’s 50th birthday this year
Middle child Princess Alexia of Orange-Nassau, 12, has inherited her mother’s dark brown eyes but also boasts an adorable smattering of freckles.
Meanwhile the couple’s youngest daughter Princess Ariane of Orange-Nassau, 10, looks much like her father thanks to her sweep of fair hair.
The three sisters, who are famously close, were each born just two years apart and are often referred to as the ‘A-team’ due to their three names each beginning with the letter ‘A’.
The portraits, which are currently on display at the Museum Jan Cunen, Oss, are part of the exhibition Women of Orange – Portraits of Five Queens.
Little princess: The couple’s eldest daughter at 13, heir-apparent Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange was was born on 7 December 2003. She goes by ‘Amalia’
Middle child: Born on on 26 June 2005, Princess Alexia of Orange-Nassau takes after her mother with her dark green eyes as show in this stunning series of portraits
The couple’s youngest daughter Princess Ariane of Orange-Nassau, 10, was born on 10 April 2007. Like her father and eldest sister she has fair hair
Olaf was previously chosen by the Dutch royals to shoot a portrait commemorating Máxima’s milestone 40th birthday in 2011.
Máxima was born in Argentina and married into the Dutch royal family in 2002, three years after meeting her husband-to-be in Seville, Spain.
Despite reportedly having no inkling that Willem-Alexander was heir to the throne when the pair first met, she eventually became Queen consort when her husband ascended to the throne.
Willem-Alexander became king after his mother, Beatrix, abdicated in April 2013 after 33 years as reigning monarch.
The Dutch royals during a visit to Los Arrayanes National Park, Argentina in 2014 (pictured left to right: Princesses Alexia, Ariane and Amalia)
Now 79, the former Queen, whose husband Prince Claus died in 2002, lives in the Drakensteyn Castle near the village of Lage Vuursche, occasionally undertaking official engagements.
Willem-Alexander was officially sworn in as king of the Netherlandsm – the country’s first male rule since 1890 – at a colourful ceremony in Nieuwe Kerk attended by 2,000 visitors from around the world.
In an emotional tribute to Beatrix, he said: ‘Dear Mother, today you relinquished the throne. 33 years moving and inspiring years. We are intensely, intensely grateful to you.’